20 Scariest Movies of All Time

For over 100 years, the movie industry has continuously pushed the boundaries of what is likely to scare audiences with horror movies. of The depiction of many supernatural forces, demonic possession, cults and masked killersThe best horror movies have the unique ability to frighten, unnerve and linger in the minds of viewers long after the credits roll. The experimentation with fear in these movies is what makes them so compelling, and contributed to them being cemented in cinematic history.

What makes these movies so scary is not only the use of blood, gore and violence, but the deeply uncomfortable atmosphere they can create. Through sound design and dark visuals, a movie may be able to create a greater atmosphere of fear than the goriest movies. This list is compiled by Look how scary these movies are by today’s standards (How some controversial movies in their time are considered tame today), and how scary they were when they were first released. Many of these movies are unprecedentedly horrifying in their era, and all of them deserve a place in the pantheon of scariest of all time.

20

The Babadook (2014)

Directed by Jennifer Kent

The Babadook Is A truly chilling tale about parenthood and griefWhile an evil demonic entity lurks in the shadows. Amelia, a single mother, is struggling to raise her troubled son, Samuel, who becomes more and more obsessed with a pop-up book about a creature called the Babadook.

The film takes a terrifying turn when the creature begins to manifest itself in their lives, with both Amelia and Samuel seemingly helpless to stop it. It’s an incredibly tense exploration of unresolved trauma that builds a sense of dread that will likely linger in the hearts of all who watch it, long after The BabadookIt’s horrifying ending.

Although not as bone chilling as some of the other movies on this list, The Babadook Stands out in other ways as a staple of horror movie history. Essie Davis’ incredible portrayal of Amelia as she faces the Babadook’s wrath is a particular highlightBringing such emotion to a genre where the scares are normally the priority. It’s Davis’ performance, along with the movie’s omnipresent sense of dread, that makes The Babadook Such a scary movie.

19

alien (1979)

Directed by Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott Alien is a true titan of sci-fi horror. The movie follows the crew of the spaceship Nostromo as they encounter a terrifying extraterrestrial creature that begins to hunt them down one by one. AlienThe deaths are gruesome, from the iconic and gruesome “chest-burster” scene, to Ripley’s final standoff with the Xenomorph. The 1979 classic is as scary to watch now as it was when it was first released.

Alien Simply has to feature on any list of scary movies. Not only is the “chest-buster” scene an unprecedented depiction of gore and violence, but it is AlienIt’s their atmosphere that elevates the scare factor. The movie is a true masterclass in how to build a sense of hopeless suspense – the audience knows that no one can stop the Xenomorph, and no help is forthcoming. after all, In space, no one can hear you scream.

18

See (2004)

Directed by James Wan

The first payment in the US Saw Franchise was an unprecedented feat of sadism and horror when it first released. Of course, everyone Saw Movie since the original is worse than the last, but there is something truly bone chilling about the first. It tells the story of The Jigsaw Killer when he traps two people in a dilapidated bathroomForced them to suffer great pain in order to escape.

The obvious source of much of SAW’s scares comes from the gore on display. In particular, the scene where Dr. Gordon has to amputate his leg in order to escape stands out as a very big deal. Highlight. Although it’s less psychologically scarring than some of the higher movies on this list, It is SawIt’s sheer brutality that earns its place here. The grim, claustrophobic setting of the bathroom, as well as the intense scenes of body horror and blood, make 2004’s Saw And his twist ends up being a visceral, horrifying addition to the genre.

17

Longlegs (2024)

Directed by Oz Perkins

While the well-reviewed Long legs is a recent movie, it still earns its place as one of the scariest movies of all time. It follows a detective trying to track down the titular serial killer, following a series of Satanic clues as she does so. Nicolas Cage as Longlegs is the real highlight here, as he gives one of the most unsettling performances of his career.

Long legs Is a movie that knows that it does not need to rely on cheap jumpscars to strike fear in the heart of its audience, as just the presence of the killer is enough to make anyone’s skin crawl.

Long legs Is a movie that knows that it does not need to rely on cheap jumpscars to strike fear in the heart of its audience, as just the presence of the killer is enough to make anyone’s skin crawl. What makes it so scary As it explores religion and faith (two concepts often used in horror movies) through a serial killer story, rather than a more typical supernatural horror movie such as The Conjuring. The brutality of the killings and the deeply uncomfortable fear of the Devil combine to create Long legs A masterclass in how to scare an audience.

16

Threads (1984)

Directed by Mick Jackson

Although not a horror movie in the traditional sense of the word, the horrifying impact that Threads had on the British public when it was first released is still felt today. Threads is a harrowing picture of Sheffield, England, as its citizens have their lives torn apart by nuclear war. The movie is more difficult Its picture of life in a nuclear winterand has only been shown by the BBC four times in 40 years as a result of this horror (by The Independent).

The context in which Threads was released is critical when looking at how scary the movie really was. Released in 1984, with tensions rising between East and West, threads’ The image of nuclear war has literally scarred people for life in the last 40 years. ThreadsTrue horror lies not in the fictional story it tells, but in How realistic the movie feels in its analysis of society’s fragility. It may be one of the lesser known movies on this list, but that in no way hurts its case for being here.

15

The Zone of Interest (2023)

Directed by Jonathan Glazer

The zone of interest is another movie that eschews the traditional tropes of the horror genre, focusing on what audiences can’t see, rather than what they can. The movie follows Rudolf Höss, the commander of Auschwitzand his family as they try to build the “perfect” life in a house just outside the walls of the death camp.

This unique premise, right by The zone of interestUltimately, it makes it one of the most compelling and horrifying movies ever made. Of course, much of the fear surrounding The zone of interest Comes from the fact that it is based on true events. The horror of the Holocaust should never be trivialized or sensationalized on screen, and The zone of interest Adheres to these roles exceptionally well.

And finally, it’s the banal look of evil that earns its place on the list. True evil, the kind that affects real life and real history, does not necessarily come from supernatural malevolent powersBut from some deep-seated cruelty in humanity. And that’s probably more terrifying than the premise of any scary movie.

14

Ringo (1998)

Directed by Hideo Nakata

when Ringo Released in 1998, it was a watershed moment for the horror genre. Not only did Ringo spawned a successful franchise, including the famous 2002 movie, The ringBut it also Popularized the concept of cursed media in movies. Ringo Tells the story of a journalist who watches a cursed videotape and begins to investigate deaths connected to it, before she becomes the next victim.

Ringo is a terrifying masterpiece of horror, built on a perpetual atmosphere of creeping dread in the form of the film’s antagonist, Sadako, who has since become one of horror’s greatest icons. The movie manages to make audiences well aware that although the curse can be lifted, Sadako herself cannot be overcome. Hopelessness is one of the scariest parts of any horror movie, and Ringo Manages to convey this gorgeousness, easily making it one of the scariest movies of all time.

13

The Shining (1980)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

Potentially the most famous horror movie of all time, The Shining Earns the title for a reason. It is truly bone chilling. Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s work is widely regarded as one of the best movies of all time, a title it shares along with its dedication to terrifying audiences. It follows the story of a writer and his family who care for the remote Overlook Hotel during the winter, and depicts his slow descent into madness as a result of the hotel’s demons.

While The ShiningThe story itself is terrifying enough on its own, it’s Kubrick’s direction that adds this movie to a veritable pantheon of horror. From unsettling symmetrical scenes to the iconic one-shot of Danny riding his tricycle, Every camera shot is meticulously crafted to make the movie as scary as possibleAnd it certainly achieved this. Combining Jack’s descent into madness with this unnerving direction is a true masterclass in how to inject fear into the hearts of any audience.

12

The Omen (1976)

Directed by Richard Donner

The omenThe story centers on an American diplomat and his wife, who unknowingly adopt the Antichrist, a child they name Damien. As Damien grows, a series of gruesome and mysterious deaths begin to occur around him, prompting his father to investigate his son’s heritage. The tension is simmering as the diplomat grapples with the moral dilemma – Does he kill the Antichrist, even though it is his son?

Religious iconography has become a staple of the horror genre, however The omen Use this particularly effectively to build fear and suspense and earn yourself a spot on the list. Damien’s convulsions when he arrives at a church is a particular highlight here, with his crimes being incredibly disturbing to watch.

The omen is also relentless in its building of tension And consistently lets audiences know that the Antichrist is always there. To make things even more economical, The omens production was rumored to be cursed, with many real-life incidents that were similar to the deaths presented in the movie.

11

Hereditary (2018)

Director: Ari Aster

Ari Aster S Hereditary Changed the horror genre when it was released in 2018. It follows the Graham family, especially the mother, Annie, as they cope with the loss of her mother. Strange events begin to unfold in the wake of her death, leading Annie to discover disturbing facts about her ancestry, forcing her to confront demonic forces beyond her control. The build up of tension and dread is truly agonizing, and Toni Collette’s performance of Annie is truly haunting.

The brutal realism that Collette brings to the role, especially the intensity of her grief, makes Hereditary One of the scariest movies of all time. Indeed, the film’s premise of a family trying to stick together is an ideal way to build fear, as Hereditary is able to weaponize this rather relatable scenario in its exploration of malevolent forces. Hereditarys ending scene is Haunting enough to keep even the deepest sleeper awake at nightAnd plays a major role in earning the movie’s place here.

10

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Directed by James Wan

The Conjuring 2 is undoubtedly the scariest movie in the Conjuring Universe. It follows the story of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they look at the Enfield Haunting in London. What makes this movie particularly bone-chilling is that it blends a moderate use of jump-scares with a hefty dose of off-screen screams and dark shadows.

The Conjuring Universe is known for building tension in this way, but in no movie is it better executed than in The Conjuring 2.

The long, drawn-out sequences are masterful in building suspense for audiences, all adding to a growing sense of unease before the demonic forces behind the haunting are finally revealed. The Conjuring Universe is known for building tension in this way, but in no movie is it better executed than in The Conjuring 2. The atmosphere of prolonged horror and fear is unlike anything from the other movies, and really allows The Conjuring 2 To shine as one of the scariest movies ever made.

9

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Directed by Tobe Hooper

When it first released in 1974, The Texas Chainsaw MassacreInspired by a true story, was an unprecedentedly violent and brutal horror movie. It follows the story of a group of friends who encounter a family of terrifying cannibals during a trip through Texas. They begin to be hunted down in a series of brutal killings and body horror that, even by 2024 standards, are quite uncomfortable to watch.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre too Introduced the character of Leatherface to the worldA man who became one of the most famous slashers of all time. Leatherface’s hulking presence is a major source of the fear that The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is able to create.

While other slashers, such as Jason Vorhees, are just as dominant on screen, it is Leatherface’s senseless killing that makes him so threatening to audiences. Combining this horror with the disturbing depictions of cannibalism easily gives The Texas Chainsaw Massacre A place like one of the scariest movies ever made.

8

Psycho (1960)

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock Psycho It may be over 60 years old, but that doesn’t stop it from earning its place as one of the scariest movies of all time. Of course, when it first released, Psycho Was like nothing experienced before in this movie – a masterfully constructed, skin-crawling look at the violent implications of Norman Bates’ split personality.

The shower scene is iconic, but it’s the underlying themes of dread, sanity, and darkness that make Psycho One of the more psychologically terrifying movies. Hitchcock certainly did not earn his nickname of the “master of suspense” for nothing, and Psycho is the sad manifestation of this.

From the ear-piercing and iconic score to the masterful use of shadows and darkness, PsychologicalIts very atmosphere is dripping with tension from the start. like One of the first movies to really look into the psychotic potential of humanity, PsychoIts scares are as timeless as they are horrifying, making it not only one of the scariest, but one of the greatest horror movies ever made.

7

Paranormal Activity (2007)

Director: Orn Peli

Paranormal activity is one of the most impressive horror movies of all time, with the first Paranormal activitys budget is only $15,000. of this, This movie has cemented itself as one of the most iconic and terrifying horror movies ever made. The plot centers on a young couple as they set up cameras around their house to document strange events that have been happening. The paranormal activity eventually becomes more violent and malevolent, and the found-footage style really adds to the sense of foreboding.

Of all the movies on this list, Paranormal activity is probably the one that is most relatable to audiences. Common domestic fears are effectively used to get into the hearts of audiences here. This makes them question the safety of their own home, a thought that is likely to linger in their minds long after the credits roll. personal and understandable, Paranormal activity is proof that it doesn’t take a lot of money to make something that can certainly be considered one of the most disturbing and scary movies ever made.

6

Nosferatu (1922)

Directed by FW Murnau

Nosferatu is one of the earliest horror movies ever made, a silent masterpiece that introduced the world to Count Orlok, a vampire who survives on the blood of the living. As an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Nosferatu is heavily influenced by gothic horrorEspecially in its use of shadows, architecture, and, of course, the vampire himself. The silence of Nosferatu Only adds to the haunting visuals, allowing them to take center stage as the tension builds.

For a movie made over a century ago, Nosferatu still holds up incredibly wellEspecially in terms of its scare factor. The Count remains one of horror’s most bone-chilling antagonists, with his ominous presence amplified by the film’s silence. Its influence on the genre is unparalleled, and it remains one of the scariest movies of all time, certainly earning its place on this list.

5

The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

Directed by Wes Craven

Wes Craven’s The hills have eyes Is A brutal and unrelenting horror movie about survival. It follows the Carter family, who after being stranded in the Nevada desert, encounter a group of cannibals, which forces them to fight for their lives. The hills have eyes Does not shy away from graphic violence or brutality, making the audience feel every moment of the Carters’ torment, and the desert setting adds to the atmosphere of helplessness that the family feels.

While The hills have eyes Eventually spawning a franchise and a reboot, it’s the 1977 original that remains the most unsettling and scary of the lot. Sad, violent and brutalCraven’s horror masterpiece leaves very little to the imagination, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in the Carters’ horrific situation. It’s this groundbreaking immersion in history that really allows The Hills Have Eyes to earn its place as the fifth scariest movie ever made.

4

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Directed by Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick

The Blair Witch Project is one of the most influential horror movies of all time, Changing the landscape of the genre by demonstrating just how effective found-footage can be When delivering terror. It follows three film students who venture into the woods to document the legend of the Blair Witch. However, things go wrong when strange events lead them to believe that the Blair Witch may not just be a legend after all.

It’s a small-scale, visceral, realistic masterpiece that perfectly captures the grounded terror of the film students, with its raw and unpolished style only adding to that. like Paranormal activity, The Blair Witch Project relies heavily on grounded, relatable experiences to frighten its audience, and the setting of the forest at night is a perfect way to accomplish this. It is this realism that makes The Blair Witch Project Undoubtedly one of the most terrifying movies ever made.

3

Sinister (2012)

Directed by Scott Derrickson

Evil is a deeply uncomfortable horror movie that Blends the terror of the supernatural with the grittiness of true crime. The story follows Alison Oswalt, a true-crime writer who moves his family into a house where a series of gruesome murders took place. However, when he discovers a series of fake films that show different murders happening, his family is placed in terrible danger as a malevolent entity is slowly revealed.

The movies themselves are deeply disturbing, but it’s how Alison slowly realizes what’s happening to his family that really makes Evil A terrible movie. A study also showed that Sinister was the horror movie most likely to raise its audience’s heart rates, thereby making it the scariest movie ever by scientific metrics ( via IGN). But, while It is deeply disturbing and more than worthy of third placeEvil lacks the lingering terrifying legacy of the movies above it on the list to rank it higher.

2

The Wicker Man (1973)

Directed by Robin Hardy

The stronger person is a popular horror classic, following the story of a devout Christian police officer who travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. There, surrounded by the camp landscape, he discovers a happy town. The presence of a pagan society that practices human sacrifice. The stronger person is horrifying and unsettling, with the unique ability to keep viewers hooked on what’s on screen, as well as leave a lasting impression on them.

Unlike the movies below on this list, The Wicker Man doesn’t have to rely on sudden scares to scare its audience, which makes it more impactful. It’s the haunting nature of the police investigation, and the collaboration of the townsfolk, that makes The Wicker Man so scary. This is embodied in The final scene, which has since gone down as one of the most iconic and disturbing shots in horror historyAnd is the cherry on top ofThe stronger persons placement as the second-scariest movie of all time.

1

The Exorcist (1973)

Directed by William Friedkin

As horrifying today as it was when it came out over 50 years ago, The Exorcist is the scariest movie of all time. It follows the story of A young girl who becomes possessed by an evil demon And the two priests who are assigned to drive out the spirit and save the girl’s soul. What starts out as just random, strange behavior quickly turns into full-blown demonic possession.

Although reactions to it may not be so severe by today’s standards, it is truly impossible to deny the cultural legacy of how scary The Exorcist It really is.

what makes The Exorcist So scary is that the possessed victim is a child rather than an adult, and his exploration of the themes of faith and redemption only add to the scale of terror on display here. when The Exorcist was released in 1973, there were numerous cases of audiences fainting and vomiting from the sheer terror they witnessed, with there also being unverified reports of heart attacks, and even a miscarriage (via Siff).

Although reactions to it may not be so severe by today’s standards, It is really impossible to deny the cultural heritage From how scary The Exorcist It really is. Demonic possession has since become one of the most terrifying and popular tropes in supernatural horror, but no movie can really live up to it as well. The Exorcist could picture it.

Sources: The Independent, IGN, Siff.